Season one of FX's 'The Bear'.
Disney+ and ITVX are set to launch a unique collaboration starting July 16, offering subscribers a curated selection of hit shows and films from both platforms. This groundbreaking partnership, dubbed “A Taste of ITVX” and “A Taste of Disney+,” aims to redefine content consumption for viewers.
Disney+ subscribers in the UK will gain access to beloved ITV series, including award-winning dramas like ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office,’ spy thriller ‘Spy Among Friends,’ and the popular reality show ‘Love Island.’
Concurrently, ITVX users will enjoy a continually updated catalog of Disney+ content. Highlights for ITVX Premium subscribers include season one of FX’s critically acclaimed ‘The Bear,’ Lucasfilm’s ‘Andor,’ and the Emmy-nominated mystery-comedy ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ Additionally, reality series such as ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ and ‘The Kardashians’ will be available. Notably, “A Taste of Disney+” will be accessible ad-free for ITVX Premium users.
A Strategic Alliance Built on Complementary Audiences
This strategic union underscores a “strong, evolving relationship” between Disney and ITV. Karl Holmes, Disney+’s General Manager for EMEA, emphasized that the partnership thrives on their distinct audience demographics. “This wouldn’t work if we had the same demographic as ITVX,” Holmes told The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting how the collaboration bridges content to new viewer segments.
Beyond the reciprocal content sharing, Disney+ has also made exclusive content available on ITV free-to-air, including ‘Renegade Nell’ and the highly anticipated ‘Under the Bridge.’ Furthermore, ITV Studios is producing several upcoming Disney+ hits, such as ‘Rivals’ by Happy Prince, ‘Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes’ by Etta Pictures in collaboration with KDJ Productions, and the revival of the iconic British dating series ‘Blind Date’ by So TV & Stellify Media.
Redefining Content Consumption
Joe Earley, President of Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment, expressed pride in this pioneering endeavor. “This innovative collaboration allows Disney+ to bring some of the UK’s favorite shows to our customers while inviting ITVX viewers to explore Disney+’s award-winning series and blockbuster movies,” he stated.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, echoed these sentiments, praising Disney as exceptional partners. “This mutually beneficial alliance showcases a thoughtfully curated array of titles, frequently updated to celebrate the diversity in our offerings,” Lygo added.
This burgeoning trend of blending traditional TV networks with streaming services is gaining traction across Europe. Examples include Netflix’s partnership with TF1 and Amazon’s collaboration with France Televisions in France, as well as RTL’s recent acquisition of Sky in Germany. This collaboration between Disney+ and ITVX could set a significant precedent for future content partnerships within the entertainment industry.
